best small to midsize equipment manufacturers

[dmband8985]

About a few years ago I bought the irons I'm currently playing, Nickent 3dx redbacks. What I liked about Nickent was that they clearly cared about their products...put money into R&D;, made clubs that were of the same standards as the top OEMs, and as I would find out over the course of the last couple of years, had incredible customer support (randomly busted a ferrule on my 6 iron and they repaired it for free and within a week)...and I seem to have forgotten to mentionthat their products don't cost an arm and a leg.

I'm a firm believer in buying products only from companies that I like, so now that I'm in the market for new irons, does anyone know of any companies that are similar to nickent...maybe not as big in operation as the callaways and taylormades, but are equally dedicated to the quality of their products and don't have the name brand inflation of the oem names? good customer support is important too....I've considered staying loyal to nickent but i'm not in love with the 4dx line...looking for a mid-low handicapper's iron to grow into and preferably something forged

[pshizz]

snake eyes is a pretty good brand which isn't considered OEM. They have some very nice blades and cavity back irons.

[EquipmentJunkie]

Mizuno is relatively small compared to the big two you mentioned and you could definitely find a forged club you like within that group (i.e. MX 200 or MX-25). Bridgestone (J36), MacGregor (MT mid irons), Srixon (I-701) and Adams (Idea-pro-forged) are all that sort of fit your description, take a look at as many as possible.

[uttexas]

Wilson, MacGregor, Adams, Golfsmith brand..........for clubs
Dexter, Oakley, Bite.........for shoes
Winn, Lamkin.......for grips
Bridgestone, Srixon, the Gamer TopFlite D2........for balls
Cargo golf for travel bag

[pshizz]

macgregor has excellent forged irons, they have been forging irons longer than anyone else...idk if i would consider them as non OEM, same with mizuno.

[Petden]

Mizuno might not be OEM, but they have a fairly high price tag. Mcgregor would propably be your best bet.

[ScruffyScraper]

http://www.louisvillegolf.com/produc...roducts_id/205

Biggest steal in golf while they last.

[Dave40]

I've played several sets of Wilson Staff irons from forged blades to Fat Shafts. I haven't been disappointed by any of them. Although Wilson used to be a dominant force in the market, I would definitely classify them as a small or midsized company these days.

[indacup]

Nicklaus Golf.

Outstanding quality....incredible price point...great customer service......

[Williamevanl]

I like the Wilson Staff balls for a second tier choice. Good mix of workablility and distance. Mizuno of course for the irons, and Wilson RAM makes great wedges. For driver and woods I like the Bazooka stuff my buddy plays. System Golf makes good putters. I actually also have an antiquated set of powerbilt blades that are really cool as well.

[Aaronsrix17]

Ya I would have to say Mizuno, Srixon , and Nickent

[cigarnut81]

Wishon Golf Take a look http://twgolftech.com/

[indacup]

Ya I would have to say Mizuno, Srixon , and Nickent

Wow, I dunno if I'd categorize Mizuno or Srixon as small to midsize....

Especially Srixon....I mean they are the worlds second largest producer of golf balls...they own Cleveland golf......etc. Mizuno is into everything (sports) been around foreve and possibly manufactuer the highest quality forgings of any afoordable OEM. Nickent I thinik is a great choice...as is Wishon mentioned by another poster...

[CosmosMpower]

Nickent and Adams. Although Adams is heading towards a large OEM status lately.

[og512]

I would say Nickent or Snake Eyes.

[MonkeyClaw]

Don't forget Nakashima, they make some good stuff.

[JaY_B]

Wilson are a well priced club with a good brand name.

Snake Eyes are top notch, probably on a par with Titleist heads etc, just with out the expensive brand name.

[dmband8985]

thanks, all brands i've been looking at...i'm might have to give the 4dx pro's another chance from nickent....i'm really happy with what i was able to get out of my 3dx redbacks and i like that nickent is loyal to their customers...they recently gave nickent hybrid users a chance to upgrade to the new 5dx hybrid for half the price, not many other companies that would do that. but again, my first impressions of the new irons were a bit iffy

I have looked into snake eyes too...i really like the 675's...plus since they are highly customizable i could combo the set with cavity backs in the longs and muscles in the shorts and get the best of all worlds.

Another set I've been eyeing is the Ben Hogan Apex FTX irons which are under 400 bucks on golfio...i've actually hit them before and really liked them, but kind of weary buying clubs from a company that may or may not exist anymore (I know callaway bought them, but what is the future of the company? will callaway handle customer support and/or any warranties and repairs?)